7. Selecting Ganesha Idol

Murti Puja (Idol Worship or Idolatry) is a unique way of relating or connecting to God.

The left side of the body is considered feminine side. It is attributed to be calm and serene.

The right side is considered to be the masculine side. It is fiery and aggressive. The right trunked Ganesha requires ritualistic attention.

While selecting Ganesha idols, the following points should be remembered -

1. The idol should be sculpted i.e. hand made. Idols prepared from moulds donot qualify for worship according to science of idol worship. A sculpted idol carries emotions of the sculptor (satvik bhav) and hence is more energized. It carries more satvik component and hence is more beneficial for the worshipper.

2. Idol should be made from soft clay or mud. Idols made of plaster of Paris should be avoided. If an idol is sculpted, it has greater power to attract particles (pavitraks) of Ganesha Principle. In this way, the worshipper derived more benefit. Secondly, Puranic text (scriptures) illustrate how Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati from clay mould mixed with tumeric smear from her body. Hence, a clay complies with scripture guidelines.

3. There are two variants of idol available according to the twist of trunk - the right trunked Ganesha and the left trunked Ganesha. For idol worship at home, left trunked Ganesha should be chosen.

4. The idol should be depicted seated on a wooden platform (pat). The idol is placed on a heap of unbroken rice (akshat). After immersion, these rice are mixed with grains stored for domestic use.

5. The size of the idol worshipped at home can vary from 1 to 5 feet maximum. Larger idols are used in public pandals only. According to scriptures height of the idol should not exceed 1.5 meters or 18 inches.

6. Idols should painted using natural substances such vermilion, tumeric; etc. Such idols impart more bliss. Toxic paints should be avoided.

7. An idol should immediately awaken devotion (bhakti) and spiritual feelings (bhav) in the worshipper. In other words, the worshippers should be able to connect or bond with the idol.

8. Seated and standing firm of Ganesha can be worshipped. However, reclining and dancing forms should not be used for ritualistic worship.